Adjustable shelving system

ABSTRACT

An adjustable shelving storage system for use in industrial, commercial and home settings were available space is limited, the storage system having supports arms with a unique bracket for releasable attachment to side rail uprights whereby the support arms may be reversed for flat storage when not used. The system is provided in wall-mounted, floor mounted and mobile versions.

This application is a non-provisional application filed under U.S.C. §111(a) claiming priority of the provisional application Ser. No. 60/430,516 filed Dec. 3, 2002.

BACKGROUND

Numerous heavy duty shelving systems have been provided in prior art that are adapted to include rigid frames having rigid shelving. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY

-   -   The present invention is directed to an adjustable shelving         system that satisfies these needs for an economical, heavy-duty,         adjustable shelf system for industrial, commercial, and home use         that provides easy adjustment of shelving, easy storage of         unused shelves, and a mobile optional. A shelving system having         features of the present invention comprises a rigid shelf frame         support having side rail tubes and removable support arms that         may be releasably attached in pairs along both a front and back         side of the side rail tubes. A pair of support arms have mounted         thereon a shelf. Each support arm has a J-shaped bracket at one         end thereof with a pin mounted on the bracket. One of each pair         of support arms has a J-shaped bracket with a unique shaped pin.         Both the pin and the shaped pin are received by one of a series         of regularly placed orifices in each generally square-shaped         side rail tube. The J-shaped bracket fits about three sides of         the generally square-shaped side rail tube thereby firmly         supporting the support arm and attached shelf once in position.

The shelf can be a flat shelf, lipped shelf, a basket or the like. In use, one of the pair of support arms having a shaped pin is inserted manually whereby the shaped pin locks into place in the side rail tube orifice and pivots therein for ease of attachment of the second support arm of the pair having a pin mounted on the bracket. This system enables the user to attach one of the pair of support arms, with the shaped pin, to the side rail and then attach the second support arm without having the first support arm fall out of place.

The side rail tubes, in actual use conditions of high carbon, heat treated steel, have spaced apart pin receiving orifices placed at regular intervals in two sides of each side rail tube enabling the shelving system to be placed on both a front and back side of the side rail tubes. In actual use conditions, the side rail tubes are generally square shaped although other shapes could be utilized. Other resilient materials could also be used.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Understanding of the invention will be enhanced by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the optional mobile device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wall mounted version of the device of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the support arm showing the J-shaped bracket and shaped pin;

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the support arm showing the J-shaped bracket and pin;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented view of the pair of support arms showing the J-shaped bracket with a shaped pin and a J-shaped bracket with a pin; and

FIG. 6 is an in use cross-sectional view as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 with the shaped pin shown received by the side rail orifice and the other pin shown in phantom about to be received by the opposite side rail orifice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Understanding of the invention will be further enhanced by referring to the following illustrative but non-limiting example.

An adjustable rigid shelving storage system for use in industrial, commercial and home settings where available floor space is limited, the storage system having supports arms with a unique bracket for releasable attachment to side rail uprights whereby the support arms may be reversed for flat storage when not used. The adjustable shelving storage system is provided in wall-mounted, floor mounted and mobile versions. Additionally, a plurality of these systems may be nested together for storage thereof.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the adjustable shelving system 10, from the top down, with a pair of support arms 26, 26′, first without a shelf attached for ease of understanding, in a position of use extending from the side rail 22. Next is shown a pair of support arms 26, 26′ with shelf 36 attached in a position of shelf storage, parallel to the side rail 22. At the bottom is illustrated pair of support arms 26 with shelf 36 attached in a position of use extending generally horizontally from the side rail 22. The side rails 22, in actual use conditions of high carbon, heat-treated generally square steel tubing, have spaced apart pin receiving orifices placed at regular intervals in two sides of each side rail 22 enabling the shelving system 10 to be placed on both a front 9 and back side of the side rail 22. In actual use conditions, the side rail 22 are generally square shaped although other shapes could be utilized. Other resilient materials could also be used.

J-shaped bracket 30, 30′ shown in detail in FIGS. 3 & 4, has three inner surfaces that wrap around the generally square-shaped side rail 22. J-shaped bracket 30′, shown in detail at FIG. 3 has three inner surfaces that wrap around the generally square-shaped side rail 22. FIG. 3 illustrates J-shaped bracket 30′ having a first surface 82 on which is mounted shaped pin 32, second surface 84 extending at a generally right angle from the first surface 82 and a third surface 86 extending at a generally right angle from second surface 84.

FIG. 4 illustrates J-shaped bracket 30 having a first surface 82 on which is mounted pin 30 and second surface 84 extending at a generally right angle from the first surface 82 and a third surface 86 extending at a generally right angle from second surface 84.

J-shaped bracket 30,30′, shown in detail at FIGS. 3 & 4, has three inner surfaces that wrap around and lock into place about the generally square-shaped side rail 22. FIG. 3 illustrates J-shaped bracket 30′ having a first surface 82 on which is mounted shaped pin 32, second surface 84 extending at a generally right angle from the first surface 82 and a third surface 86 extending at a generally right angle from second surface 84.

Attachment of J-shaped bracket 30, 30′ a first at a first end 21 of each support arm 26,26′, permits the support arm 26, 26′ to be supported on three sides when in its position of use thereby providing a strong base of support for the support arm 26, 26′. J-shaped bracket 30, at a first end of each support arm 26,26′, may be released from attachment to the side rail and reversed such that the formerly left side is attached to the right side rail, and vice versa, such that the attached shelf or the like hangs downwardly in a generally vertical, out-of-the-way position, as indicated by support arm 26 in FIG. 1. The J-shaped bracket 30 also permits the support arm 26, 26′ to be adjusted upwardly and downwardly along the side rail 22. The J-shaped bracket 30 also permits the support arm 26 to be reversed, where the formerly left side bracket is attached to the right side rail 22 and vice versa, permitting out of the way storage of both the support arm 26 and the shelf 36 mounted thereon. Cross pieces 44 are shown in FIG. 1 mounted on a base 46 interconnecting and stabilizing the side rails 22 in a optional portable version having wheels 40. It is recognized that other shelves 36, such as flat, lipped, or table surface, could be used with equal success. It is also recognized that in each pair of support arms 26, 26′ one of the pair has a shaped pin 32 attached to one of the pairs and a pin 34 attached to the other of each pair.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wall mounted system 10′ with wall-mounted fasteners 50 attaching the pair of side rails 22 to a wall or other upright surface. Again, the shelf attached support arms 26, 26′ are shown in a storage position and a position of use 26, 26′.

FIG. 3 shows a support arm 26′ having shelf-receiving apertures 38 formed therein whereby any type of shelf could be attached J-shaped bracket 30′ is shown mounted on a first end 21 of support arm 26′. The J-shape of bracket 30′ provides support to the attached support arm 26′ because the J-shaped bracket 30 abuts the side rail 22 on three sides. Once the J-shaped bracket 30 is in place, it remains locked in position until such time as the user lifts up one end of the support arm 26. FIG. 3 also illustrates the shaped pin 32 which has a cap 33 that is manually pushed through a pin orifice 24 allowing the attached support arm 26, 26′ to be pivoted about a neck 35 of shaped pin 32 allowing easy positioning of both of the pair of any support arms 26, 26′. Thus a first of the pair of support arms 26′ is mounted on a side rail 22 and the second of the pair of support arms 26 may be positioned without the first support arm 26′ falling out of position. This shaped pin 32 releasably locks into place in a pin orifice 24 in a side rail 22. This permits the basket shelf 36, or other shelf or table top, to be positioned on one side, locked into place supporting the weight of the basket and support arm 26′ and then the second support arm 26 is easily positioned by placing the pin 30 of the second support arm 26 into the selected pin orifice 24 of the appropriate side rail 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates the support arm 26 with a J-shaped bracket 30 mounted on a first end 21 of support arm 26 with pin 34 shown with a tapered end 37 for ease of receipt by pin orifice 24. In use, the support arm 26′ with shaped pin 32 is locked into position such that it pivots, as described above and illustrated at FIG. 3, and then the second of the pair of support arms 26 having pin 34 attached 3 to J-shaped bracket 30 is received by the selected pin orifice 24 of side rail 22 with the pair of support arms 26, 26′ supported by three-sided J-shaped bracket 30, 30′ locked into place about the side rail 22 firmly supporting the weight of the basket, shelf, table top and items placed thereon.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up view of the J-shaped bracket 30 showing how the bracket 30 receives the square-shaped side rail 22, as shown in FIG. 1, and fits about three sides of the rail 22 gaining firm support from the side rails 22. Shaped pin 32 is shown with cap 33 and neck 35 shown. Pin 34 is shown with a taper 37 to aid in receipt by pin orifice 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates how a first support arm 26′ with shaped pin 32 is received by pin orifice 24 with the pin cap 33 fitting into the pin orifice 24 such that the shaped pin 32, on the bracket 30′ mounted on a support arm 26′, pivots about the shaped pin neck 35 allowing the attached shelf 36 mounted to the second of the pair of support arms 26 with a bracket 30 and pin 34 mounted thereon, such that the first of the pair of support arms 26′ is attached and locked into place while the second support arm 26 may be positioned on the adjacent side rail 22 at the selected pin orifice 24, shown in phantom.

Adjustable shelving storage system 10 may be mounted on a base 46 with or without wheels 40 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Adjustable shelving storage system 10 may also be wall mounted, as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, multiple adjustable shelving storage system units 10 may be nested, with the shelf baskets or other shelf or table surfaces, in the generally flat position, such that multiple adjustable shelving storage systems 10 may be place adjacent each other for storage whereby a small amount of floor space is needed to store several adjustable shelving storage systems 10. This is accomplished by removing shelf mounted support arm 26, 26′ may be removed and reversed such that what was formerly on the left side rail 21 now is positioned on the right side rail and vice versa permitting flat, out-of-the way storage.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, a combination of these systems may be used in a setting where shelf storage is needed, such as a garage, display area, and industrial areas.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. An adjustable shelving system comprising: a first side rail and a second side rail, each of the first and the second side rails extending between an upper end and a bottom end; at least one cross piece interconnecting the first side rail and the second side rail such that the first side rail is substantially parallel to the second side rail defining a plane in which the first and the second side rails lie; at least one shelf assembly attachable to the first and the second side rails in at least a storage position and a use position, wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and hangs downwardly in a generally vertical position when in the storage position, and wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and extends generally horizontally from the first and the second side rails when in the use position; and a first elongated base element and a second elongated base element, each of the first and the second elongated base elements extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the bottom end of the first side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the first elongated base element, wherein the bottom end of the second side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the second elongated base element, wherein each of the first and the second elongated base elements is adjustable to an angle greater than 90 degrees from the plane defined by the first and the second side rails so as to allow multiple adjustable shelving systems to be nested together.
 11. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 10, wherein the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element is adjustable to be greater that the distance between the first side rail and the second side rail.
 12. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 10, wherein the first elongated base element is adjustably coupled and orthogonal to the first side rail, and wherein the second elongated base element is adjustably coupled and orthogonal to the second side rail.
 13. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 10, wherein the system further comprises: means for attaching the at least one shelf assembly to the first and the second side rails when in the storage position; and means for attaching the at least one shelf assembly to the first and the second side rails when in the use position.
 14. An adjustable shelving system comprising: a first side rail and a second side rail, each of the first and the second side rails extending between an upper end and a bottom end; at least one cross piece interconnecting the first side rail and the second side rail such that the first side rail is substantially parallel to the second side rail defining a plane in which the first and the second side rails lie; at least one shelf assembly attachable to the first and the second side rails in at least a storage position and a use position, wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and hangs downwardly in a generally vertical position when in the storage position, and wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and extends generally horizontally from the first and the second side rails when in the use position; and a first elongated base element and a second elongated base element, each of the first and the second elongated base elements extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the bottom end of the first side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the first elongated base element, wherein the bottom end of the second side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the second elongated base element, wherein the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element is adjustable, and wherein the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element is greater than the distance between the proximal end of the first elongated base element and the proximal end of the second elongated base element when the adjustable shelving system is in a configuration that allows multiple adjustable shelving systems to be nested together.
 15. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 14, wherein the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element is adjustable to be greater that the distance between the first side rail and the second side rail.
 16. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one shelf assembly is removably attachable to the first and the second side rails.
 17. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one cross piece of the adjustable shelving system comprises: a first cross piece interconnecting the first side rail and the second side rail, wherein the first cross piece is coupled to the first side rail and the second side rail towards the bottom ends thereof; and a second cross piece interconnecting the first side rail and the second side rail, wherein the second cross piece is coupled to the first side rail and the second side rail towards the upper ends thereof.
 18. The adjustable shelving system according to claim 14, wherein the first elongated base element is adjustably coupled and orthogonal to the first side rail, and wherein the second elongated base element is adjustably coupled and orthogonal to the second side rail.
 19. A shelf assembly for attachment to first and second side rails, wherein each side rail comprises at least one orifice, the shelf assembly comprising: a first support arm and a second support arm, wherein each support arm extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is attachable to one of the first and the second side rails; a locking bracket at the second end of each of the support arms comprising at least one inner surface configured to wrap around at least a portion of the side rail when the support arm is attached to the side rail; a pin extending from the at least one inner surface of each of the locking brackets, wherein the pin is sized as a function of the at least one orifice of the side rail for use in attaching the support aim to the side rail, wherein the pin extending from the locking bracket of the first support arm is longer than the pin extending from the locking bracket of the second support arm; and at least one shelf attachable to the first and the second support arms.
 20. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein the longer pin extending from the locking bracket of the first support arm terminates at a cap portion with a neck portion adjacent the cap portion, wherein the neck portion has a smaller cross-section than the cap portion.
 21. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein the locking bracket maintains the pin within the side rail when the support arm is attached to the side rail.
 22. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein the pin of the first support arm and the pin of the second support arm are aligned along the same axis.
 23. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein each pin extends in the same direction.
 24. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein the pin is aligned along an axis orthogonal to the support arm.
 25. The shelf assembly according to claim 24, wherein the pin of the locking bracket of the support arm is located a distance away from the support arm and in a plane parallel thereto.
 26. The shelf assembly according to claim 19, wherein the at least one inner surface of the locking bracket of each of the first and the second support arms comprises: a first inner surface from which the pin extends; and a second inner surface parallel to the first inner surface.
 27. The shelf assembly according to claim 26, wherein an edge of the second inner surface is angled, such that when the support arm is attached to one of the first and the second side rails, a user may lift up on the first end of the support arm to allow release of the pin from the at least one orifice of the side rail.
 28. A method for adjustment of a shelving system, wherein the shelving system comprises a first side rail and a second side rail, wherein each side rail comprises at least one orifice, the method comprising: providing a shelf assembly, wherein the shelf assembly comprises: a first support arm and a second support arm, wherein each support arm extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is attachable to one of the first and the second side rails; a locking bracket at the second end of each of the support arms comprising at least one inner surface configured to wrap around at least a portion of the side rail when the support arm is attached to the side rail; a pin extending from the at least one inner surface of each of the locking brackets, wherein the pin is sized as a function of the at least one orifice of the side rail, wherein the pin extending from the locking bracket of the first support arm is longer than the pin extending from the locking bracket of the second support arm; and at least one shelf attached to the first and the second support alms; and attaching the shelf assembly to the first and the second side rails, wherein attaching the shelf assembly comprises receiving the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm within the at least one orifice of the first side rail, and then, subsequently, receiving the pin of the locking bracket of the second support arm within the at least one orifice of the second side rail.
 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the longer pin extending from the locking bracket of the first support arm terminates at a cap portion with a neck portion adjacent the cap portion, wherein the neck portion has a smaller cross-section than the cap portion, wherein receiving the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm within the at least one orifice of the first side rail comprises positioning the cap portion of the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm within the at least one orifice of the first side rail such that the shelf assembly pivots about the neck portion of the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm.
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein after the cap portion of the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm is positioned within the at least one orifice of the first side rail, the shelf assembly is partially supported by the first side rail.
 31. The method according to claim 28, wherein receiving the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm within the at least one orifice of the first side rail comprises inserting a portion of the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm partially within the at least one orifice of the first side rail, wherein receiving the pin of the locking bracket of the second support arm within the at least one orifice of the second side rail comprises inserting the pin of the locking bracket of the second support arm within the at least one orifice of the second side rail, and further wherein a remainder of the longer pin of the locking bracket of the first support arm is inserted within the at least one orifice of the first side rail when inserting the pin of the locking bracket of the second support arm within the at least one orifice of the second side rail.
 32. A method of arranging adjustable shelving systems comprising: providing a first and a second adjustable shelving system, wherein each of the first and the second adjustable shelving systems comprises: a first side rail and a second side rail, each of the first and the second side rails extending between an upper end and a bottom end; at least one cross piece interconnecting the first side rail and the second side rail such that the first side rail is substantially parallel to the second side rail defining a plane in which the first and the second side rails lie; at least one shelf assembly attachable to the first and the second side rails in at least a storage position and a use position, wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and hangs downwardly in a generally vertical position when in the storage position, and wherein the at least one shelf assembly is movably attached to the first and the second side rails and extends generally horizontally from the first and the second side rails when in the use position; and a first elongated base element and a second elongated base element, each of the first and the second elongated base elements extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the bottom end of the first side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the first elongated base element, wherein the bottom end of the second side rail is attached towards the proximal end of the second elongated base element, wherein the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element is adjustable; adjusting the distance between the distal end of the first elongated base element and the distal end of the second elongated base element to be greater than the distance between the proximal end of the first elongated base element and the proximal end of the second elongated base element such that the adjustable shelving system is in a configuration that allows the first and the second adjustable shelving systems to be nested together; attaching the at least one shelf assembly of the first adjustable shelving system to the first and the second side rails of the first adjustable shelving system in the storage position; and nesting the second adjustable shelving system together with the first adjustable shelving system such that the first and the second adjustable shelving systems are adjacent each other. 